Windows 10 Updates Won't Download

I was having an issue where my Windows 10 machine wouldn't download updates.  It was stuck at 0%.  Other previous updates I noticed failed to install altogether as well.

I tried installing them via PowerShell (see resources links at bottom for method) to no avail, it would just get stuck downloading in the PS session.

Came across an article that had a solution.  Here's the rundown of what worked for me from it (supposedly should work for Windows stuck at downloading at any point - see link to original article also at the bottom)

1.  Open a elevated command prompt (right click cmd.exe and run as admin)

2.  Enter the following two commands one at a time:

                      net stop wuauserv

                      net stop bits         

3.  Browse to C:\Windows\SoftwareDistribution folder; delete or move all folders and files inside to a desktop folder if you are cautious about deleting...

4.  Type in the elevated command prompt the following two commands, one at a time:

                       net start wuauserv

                        net start bits

5.  Run Windows Update again - the updates should download and install successfully.

6.  Restart to complete the update process.

update 3/3/2023 I believe this process also works in the context of Windows Server 2012 or other with the correct update package and path.

SOURCES:

"Windows Update stuck downloading updates in Windows 10" - http://www.thewindowsclub.com/windows-update-stuck-downloading-updates

"Update and Upgrade Windows 10 using powershell" - 

https://www.tenforums.com/tutorials/76207-update-upgrade-windows-10-using-powershell.html